Gavaska Lodge has realised his dream of acquiring the boat he has driven for the past 10 years.

For Mr. Lodge, who also runs another boat under Another Emerald Executive Charters, took over the boat, named MV Longtail, as part of the buyout of MV Longtail Cruises when the previous owner of the business retired.

Three years ago he started his own business as owner and operator of Another Emerald, running a 40-foot custom designed Trojan, having previously skippered numerous boat tours including the Longtail, the Glass Bottom Boat and the Night Glass Bottom Boat for Fantasy Cruises.

This month Mr. Lodge, who has had his captain's licence for 13 years, had the chance to become the fourth owner of the very boat he has been running part-time since 1998.

"I have been into boats all of my life and started out on my own three years ago as Another Emerald and as business picked up the opportunity for this came up so I went to the bank and signed the papers and took over the business," he explained.

The 65-foot Corinthian catamaran vessel, which is originally from Florida and has been stationed in Bermuda since 1986, is licensed for 200 people and comes complete with a built in DJ system, bars and new engines.

Mr. Lodge, who runs the business with his wife Kathleen and has another employee, has a contract with the cruise ships to operate tours out of Dockyard, following in a route via the Somerset drawbridge,the naval annex, Darrell's Island, Paradise Lake and Fairylands, before arriving in Hamilton, where passengers get free ferry passes to return to Dockyard.

"We operate seven days a week and we do two trips a week for the cruise ships," he said.

"I am being kept really busy and so far so good - the reservations are coming in already and I am looking forward to the summer season."

He also runs cruises for parties, weddings, birthday and office parties, and other functions, as well as a Happy Hour Booze Cruise on Fridays between 5.30pm and 7.30 pm leaving from Albuoy's Point and starting on Friday April 18, costing $10 per person with a $250 travel voucher prize up for grabs for those who buy tickets. To book your place on a cruise call 296-5263, fax 296-9908 or e-mail lodges@logic.bm